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Saying that the 2021 season is big for Austin Riley is probably an understatement. Riley enters the spring as Atlanta’s starter at third base, but will need to show added improvement to further entrench himself as the team’s long term solution at the position. He made some necessary adjustments last season cutting his strikeout rate significantly while also performing better against the slider. Those adjustments came with a slight drop in his power numbers, but Riley is looking to further build on the progress he made in 2020.
“I definitely feel good about some of the steps I took last year,” Riley said Thursday from North Port, Fla. “I look forward to putting it all together this year.”
More Braves News
Cory McCartney takes a look at the nine players in Braves camp that are under the most pressure.
Dansby Swanson put together his best season in 2020. Can he take another step forward in 2021?
Braves roster news
Atlanta traded infielder Jack Mayfield to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations. Mayfield was designated for assignment Wednesday to make room for Guillermo Heredia on the 40-man roster.
The Braves reportedly signed outfielder Terrance Gore to a minor league deal.
MLB News
Bryce Harper met with the Philadelphia media recently and called the NL East the best division in baseball. Hard to disagree after the offseason each of the clubs had.
The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a minor league deal with free agent Tommy Milone. Milone of course was Atlanta’s lone addition at the trade deadline in 2020 and struggled in three outings before finishing the season on the injured list.